Understanding Anemia & Iron Levels: Interpreting Blood Test Results

Question
After a trip to my GYN she ordered blood work that returned with the following out of range values:
WBC- 3.3
Hemoglobin- 11.8
MCV- 77.1
MCH-23.9
RDW CV-16.2
Neturophil 39.3%
Lymphocyte 51.1%
Neutrophil# 1.31
She started me on iron pills (Slow FE twice a day) and scheduled me for a follow up with another doc (I have had a low WBC in the past). During my follow up visit with the specialist, new blood work was taken with additional testing. These values were almost identical to those above with the exception of a now normal WBC of 5.0. Some of the new/additional tests show levels of serum iron of 400 and % sat of 96% and normal ferritin or 17. The serum iron seems very high. Would this be due to taking the iron pills? I took them for approx 5 days prior to my appointment. The doctor has not called about this so I am not sure if I should contiune with the iron pills or just keep on doing as I was told. I know I could pick up the phone but don't want to seem to be asking a silly question just based on the fact that I got my results and am not qualified to understand them. Thanks for any help you can give!!

Answer
Hi Stevie, I'd be glad to try and answer your question.  Your serum iron is quite high.  Its hard to say if that's from you taking the Slow Fe for those 5 days.  It doesn't make sense that in 5 days that your iron would increase that much.  It would have been helpful if your doctor had done an iron measurement BEFORE prescribing the Slow Fe.  He/she based his diagnosis on your hemoglobin value, which is slightly low.  The most common reason for a low hemoglobin is iron deficiency anemia, so that makes sense that he/she would prescribe an iron supplement.  Do you have a follow-up appointment with your doctor?  If so, then discuss your test results with him/her.  If not, then I would call and tell them you had some labwork done and you'd like to see what the doctor says about them.  There's no such thing as silly questions!  Part of your doctor's job is to interpret your test results and review them with you.

Samantha